A.
The intent of the Village of Churchville nonresidential design standards
is to protect and maintain the unique character of the Village and
enhance community identity. These standards are intended to achieve
building treatments and modifications and encourage site design elements
that are consistent with the traditional character of the Village.
B.
These standards emphasize the use of design elements that promote
design continuity throughout the Village, support the traditional
pattern of development in the Village, and enhance the pedestrian
experience.
C.
These standards are intended to inspire innovation and distinctive
solutions when undertaking changes, modifications, or adaptive reuse
of buildings and properties, as well as direct the style of new or
infill development.
D.
These design standards provide a framework for maintaining and protecting
the character of nonresidential development in all Village zoning
districts, local property values, and the economic prosperity of local
businesses.
The purpose of the nonresidential design standards is to improve
Churchville's quality of life and promote the Village as a civic space
where people are attracted to work, shop and socialize. All nonresidential
buildings, structures, or sites within in the Village should be designed
to achieve the following objectives:
A.
Improve the ambience and visual quality of the Village's commercial
areas by maintaining and increasing density, encouraging consistent
setbacks and promoting consistent streetscape design;
B.
Promote a sense of design continuity that appropriately relates development
and redevelopment to the historic nature of the community;
C.
Utilize elements, details, styles and architectural features for
buildings, sites, and public spaces that complement the surrounding
area and maintain a sense of place;
D.
Utilize predominant building materials and architectural features
found in the community as a guide in determining appropriate materials
for structural or site modifications and new construction;
E.
Utilize site design elements that protect, maintain and expand areas
of greenspace, landscaping and open space;
F.
Promote pedestrian, bicycle, and motor vehicle traffic safety by
improving connectivity between properties and management of access
to Main Street;
G.
Encourage the development of buildings consistent with the goals
of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program;
and
H.
Retain, reflect, and enhance the dominant aesthetic character and
visual quality of surrounding development and neighborhoods.
A.
The standards and guidelines contained within this article shall be applied to all nonresidential development and redevelopment occurring within the Village of Churchville, except for when such development is located within the Central Business District, where Article XII of this chapter shall take precedence.
B.
The nonresidential design standards for the Village of Churchville
are to be applied as part of site plan review for the construction,
reconstruction, alteration, or expansion of nonresidential development
in the Village.
C.
For the purpose of this article, the requirements for nonresidential
uses and development shall also apply to multifamily dwellings.
"Placement" refers to how a building is situated on the lot.
"Orientation" refers to the location of a building's main axis, or
front facade. The placement and orientation of nonresidential buildings
shall be in accordance with the following:
A.
Buildings should relate to the street in a manner that positively
contributes to the pedestrian realm. Buildings shall be oriented parallel
with adjacent buildings and the street line.
B.
The front facade of all nonresidential development shall be oriented
to the primary street.
C.
Buildings situated at street corners should "wrap" the corner by
continuing certain facade design elements (such as the cornice or
horizontal accent bands) on all street elevations (see Figure 2).
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Figure 2: Facades Wrapping the Corner
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D.
Building orientation and main entrances should face the primary street
and should be easily identifiable and pedestrian-scaled.
"Massing" and "form" refer to the volume and shape of a building.
Buildings should provide visual interest that engages pedestrians
and others to promote activity and business vitality. Wherever possible,
new development should enhance the visual quality of the site on which
it is located, as well as the character of the surrounding area. The
massing and form of nonresidential buildings shall be in accordance
with the following:
A.
A single, large, dominant building mass shall be avoided. No facade
that faces a street shall have a blank, uninterrupted length exceeding
40 feet without including architectural features such as columns,
ribs, pilasters, piers, or changes in plane, in texture or masonry
pattern, or an equivalent element that subdivides the wall into pedestrian-scaled
proportions (see Figure 3).
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Figure 3: Facade Articulation
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B.
New buildings should be compatible with the height and massing of
adjacent and surrounding structures, unless otherwise approved by
the Planning Board.
C.
All buildings shall exhibit a clearly defined base, midsection, and
crown. This can be accomplished using a combination of architectural
details, materials, textures, and colors (see Figure 4).
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Figure 4: Tripartite Design
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D.
Buildings which are "squat" in proportion or which have very strong
horizontal elements that dominate the facade are discouraged.
Roof styles and treatments of nonresidential buildings shall
be in accordance with the following:
A.
Roofs on new buildings or replacement roofs shall be designed to
be in keeping with the character of the surrounding area and structures.
B.
Flat roof design should be avoided, unless it is consistent with
the design and context of surrounding structures.
C.
Eaves are encouraged to include architectural detailing to add visual
interest.
D.
New roofs and replacement roofs should be designed to adequately
shed snow and rain.
E.
Vertical elements such as chimneys or masonry parapet walls that
contribute to the character of traditional roof design are encouraged.
A building facade serves as the interface between the public
realm and the interior space of the building and should be compatible
with the character and context of the surrounding area. Nonresidential
building facades shall be in accordance with the following:
A.
Front facades shall include windows, building entrances, and other
architectural features to create an interesting streetscape and comfortable
pedestrian realm. Appropriate facade articulation includes the use
of bays, insets, balconies, porches, or stoops related to entrances
and windows.
B.
Along front facades in the area between two feet and eight feet from
the ground, the following shall be provided as minimum levels of transparency
(see Figure 5):
C.
Along front facades, all exterior building walls and structures shall
be constructed with durable materials such as masonry, stone, brick,
finished wood, cement fiber clapboard, stucco or glass.
D.
No more than three exterior building materials should be used on
any one facade of a building.
E.
Changes in materials shall occur at inside corners. Material changes
at the outside corners or in a plane shall be avoided.
F.
New or existing buildings that are located on a street corner are
considered to have two primary facades.
G.
Buildings and design elements shall be scaled in relation to human
interaction and activity (pedestrian-scale and in context with the
surroundings).
Properly designed and maintained storefronts and entryways contribute
to the positive image of a commercial or industrial district. They
can attract impulse customers, contributing to the economic prosperity
of the business, as well as the surrounding area. Nonresidential building
storefronts and entryways shall be in accordance with the following:
A.
Primary entrances shall be oriented to the street.
B.
Doors that contain transparent glass shall be used for any new or
redeveloped nonresidential building entrances on the primary facade.
C.
Entrances for upper floors should be distinguished from entrances
for first-floor uses.
D.
Awnings and canopies shall be designed to fit the window, door, or
storefront openings that they are intended to cover and shall not
be placed in a manner that obstructs the view of facade design elements.
Windows should be designed to create interest and add character
to a facade, providing visibility into the building interior, particularly
for retail uses, contributing to the pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist
experience throughout the Village. Nonresidential building windows
shall be in accordance with the following:
A.
Windows and other design elements on the primary facade of an existing
building shall not be covered in a manner that would adversely alter
the facade and architectural character of the structure.
B.
Upper floors on new or redeveloped buildings shall not have more
window surface or transparency than what exists on the first floor.
C.
Shutters shall appear to actually cover the entire window opening
when closed. Shutters should not be mounted flush to the exterior
of the facade but hung as if they were functioning on a hinge.
D.
Unless otherwise approved by the Planning Board, the use of mirrored
or tinted glass with less than 40% light transmittance is prohibited.
The following additional regulations shall apply to the rehabilitation
and reuse of existing nonresidential structures, unless it is so determined
by the Village Board that the restoration of any such structure to
its original state would be inconsistent with the purpose and intent
of this article:
A.
Design elements on existing buildings shall not be altered or covered
in a manner that would adversely impact the facade and architectural
character of the structure.
B.
Original roof lines and pitches shall be maintained, particularly
where the traditional roof line contributed to the visual quality
of the structure.
C.
Original window, storefront, and door openings shall not be reduced
in size or covered.
D.
Window, storefront, and door openings that have been covered or filled
in on a building facade shall be restored.
E.
Existing architectural details, such as transom windows, trim, or
cornices, shall not be removed.
F.
Any cladding, siding, or panels unoriginal to structures that are
being reused that obstruct existing cornices or decorative brick or
stone work shall be removed.
G.
To the greatest extent possible, original design elements and materials
shall be preserved and maintained. If replacement is necessary, the
materials used shall reflect the same design quality as originally
present.
H.
Original window design, proportions, and muntin configuration shall
be maintained when replacement is necessary.
The following elements shall be included in site design of nonresidential uses and structures to improve site access, connectivity, and on-site parking. Additional provisions are included in Article IX, Off-Street Parking and Loading, and Article X, Landscaping and Screening, of this chapter.
A.
Wherever possible, cross access should be developed between adjoining
nonresidential properties to enable motorists to move between sites
without having to enter the street.
B.
Parking areas should be interconnected with parking areas on adjacent
properties through cross access.
C.
Clear vehicular circulation throughout parking areas should be provided
through the use of appropriate landscaping, sidewalks, and other traffic-calming
improvements to ensure pedestrian safety (see Figure 6).
D.
Parking must be separated from sidewalks by curb stops and planted
areas to ensure pedestrian safety.
E.
Where parking is located along the edge of a building, sufficient
space for pedestrian walkways and foundation plantings should be provided.
F.
Provisions for pedestrians and bicyclists (benches, bike racks, etc.)
should be included in site design.
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Figure 6: Pedestrian Connectivity (in Red)
.tif.png "250 Figure 6 Pedestrian Connectivity (in Red).tif")
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A.
Alternative energy sources, such as solar panels or shingles, are
encouraged and should be incorporated into the design of the building
so as not to detract from the overall character.
B.
Developers and builders are encouraged to utilize roofing materials
that reflect sunlight (e.g., lighter colors) or incorporate vegetated
roofing. Methods such as these decrease heating and cooling needs
on a building by reflecting sunlight rather than absorbing it.
C.
The Planning Board reserves the right to consult with any other board,
commission, department, agency, and/or official it deems advisable
for the purposes of design review and considerations.
D.
The Village may engage the services of engineers, planners, architects,
or other design professionals to aid in the consideration of all nonresidential
development. The applicant shall reimburse all costs incurred for
such professional services to the Village.
In addition to the design standards and guidelines of this article
and requirements set forth by this chapter for landscaping, screening,
and buffering of nonresidential uses, all nonresidential and multifamily
development shall employ building and site design standards to ensure
compatibility with adjacent residential development. To the maximum
extent practicable, nonresidential development should use all of the
following techniques when developed adjacent to a residential use:
